St. Joseph council approves software purchase and sewer bonds, backs Cathedral Hill tax-credit support; manager to study short-term rentals

St. Joseph City Council on Sept. 5 approved several measures including an emergency ordinance to buy Microsoft 365 subscriptions and a related budget amendment, authorized sewerage system revenue bonds and expressed support for a tax-credit application for the Cathedral Hill housing project. The council also received a city-manager report on short-term rentals and heard two public commenters who raised code-enforcement and demolition concerns.

The council approved an emergency ordinance to amend the general fund network operations program budget by $9,675 and to purchase Microsoft 365 and SharePoint subscriptions for 350 users from Computer Discount Warehouse Government for a total of $110,845; the clerk recorded the vote as 9 ayes. The council also approved issuance of city sewerage system revenue bonds, series 2023, to extend and improve the sewerage system; that bill passed with 9 ayes recorded.

Council then considered a resolution expressing support for a Missouri Housing Development Commission tax-credit application by Delmark Development Group LLC for Cathedral Hill Phase 1. Council member Davis moved, and council member Novak seconded, an amendment to attach the project plans; the amendment carried 9-0 and the subsequent vote on the bill also passed with 9 ayes recorded.

Clerk-read first readings included a set of ordinances and actions: an ordinance waiving demolition and judgment liens on property at 417 South Fourth Street for $418,542.09; a real-estate purchase agreement to sell property at 5001 Savannah Road for $42,000; easements for the Pettus Road culvert replacement project ($6,850); and other administrative and budget amendments (items 35–42). These items were placed on first reading with no final action at this meeting.

City Manager Sean told the council staff distributed survey feedback and materials from a Missouri Municipal League conference about short-term rental regulation; staff will synthesize information and return with a recommendation because the issue is sensitive and has proven difficult in other communities.

During public comment, Francis K. Fritz described repeated code-enforcement violations related to trash cans and tree limbs, confusion about permit requirements for keeping trash receptacles in front of the house, and difficulty getting consistent responses across departments; Justin Carr of the city is identified in the transcript as a staff member who agreed to follow up after the meeting. Joyce Anders described buying a former church at 2602 South 18th Street, efforts to repair it, and says the city ordered demolition as an emergency; she said she was not given a hearing and alleges a city code official (Aaron Adrian) entered her property without a warrant. Anders said she ultimately paid a contractor to demolish the building to avoid larger city charges and asked the council to note the circumstances.

The meeting adjourned with no further business noted.